Earth anchor



Dec. 23, 1930. A. B. CHANCE EARTH ANCHOR Filed May 26. 1928 2SheetSl-Sheet l 46 l 4.5 Z2 -4 ,fnv/e 72/207" 63,57) rii. 6724/266 Dec.23, 1930.'

A. B. CHANCE 1,786,228

EARTH ANCHOR Filed May 2e. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 23, 1930A' PTEN'F' oFFlcE l.ALBERT B. CHANCE, F CENTBALIA, IISSOUBI EARTH ANCHORApplication mea my ze, ma. smal 1ro. saoes.

The present invention relates to earth anchors, and is particularlyconcerned wlth earth anchors of the expansible type.

One of the objects of the present lnvention' is the .provision of animproved commercial form of the expansible anchor shown in United StatesPatent No. 1,546,327, issued July 14, 1925, to Herbert M. Taylor vandFrank Sutcliffe, and by them assigned to Another object of the inventionis the provision of an improved expanding anchor which is more quicklyand economically manufactured and assembled than the anchors of theprior art, and which is capable of withstandmg greater strains and abusethan the prior anchors.

Another object of the invention is the prof vision of an improvedconstruction for the expanding anchors of the class described, whichincludes a housing forenclosing and guiding the slidable lukes andimproved forms of toggle arms and cross-heads, which are stronger andmore easily manufactured and assembled than the parts of the anchorsshown in the rior art.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an extremely simpleand economical form of the expanding anchor above mentioned, from whichall complicated parts have been eliminated and in which the number ofseparate arts has been reduced to a minimum, there y decreasing the costof manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fullyfrom the following description and from the'accompanying drawings, inwhich similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are three sheets,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved expanding anchor; i

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same Fig. 3 is a medial, crosssectional, elevational view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective ofthehou's` 5,0 ing and lukeq; I

HElssul-:u

Fig. 5 is an elevational cross sectional view taken on the line' 5-5 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a View in perspective, in partial section, of the strip forpivoting the links on the crosshead;

Fig. 7 is aview in perspective, in partial section, of the crosshead.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, 10 indicates in its entirety, my anchor whichis adapted to be secured to a guy rod 11 having an eye 12 60 adapted toreceive a cable and provided with a threaded end 13. The anchor ispreferably rovided with a `bottom plate 14 which may e of any shape, butwhich is preferably of substantlally circular form, in order to conformto the shape of holes dug by the usual methods. y

The bottom or washer plate 14 is provided with a centrally locatedaperture 15 adapted to receive the guy rod l1 and with a palr of 70elongated slots or apertures 16 which are adapted to receive flanges 17upon a housing member 18.

The housing or crown member 18 comprises a substantially rectangularpiece of sheet metal having a downwardly turned flange 19 at` each end,which may have an extension 17 of. less width forming shoulders 2() oneach side of the extension flange 17 for engagement with the body of thebottom plate 14. y

The bottom plate or washer plate 14 cooperates with the crown member orhousing member 18 to guide the lukes from above and from below, andthese plates are particularly eiiicacious in strengthening the anchorstructure and supporting the ilukes in proper position when the flukesare fully extended,

ecausethere is only a relatively small area of each fluke in engagementwith the other fluke `when the anchor is fully extended.

The extension flanges 17 pass through the elongated slots o rapertures-16 in the bottom plate 14 and are bent over as at 21, therebypermanently assembling these parts. The housing member 18 is alsoprovided with an aperture 22 in substantial alignment with the aperture15 in the bottom plate.

In order to provide means whereby the nut 23 may be hel so that the guyrod 11 may be 100 removed when the anchor is in place in the earth, andto provide means whereby the guy rod may be driven into the earth whenit is desired to abandon the entire anchor, I provide my bottom platewith a pair of sheet metal members 24 which are adapted to secure thenut 23 against rotation, and which are also adapted to be bent apart torelease the nut when a blow is delivered by a sledge or other drivingmeans at the eye of the guy rod.

The members 24 may comprise strips of sheet metal, each having anattaching flange 25, a iange 26 extending at right angles to saidattaching flange and a retaining flange 27 substantially parallel to theattaching flange. The retaining flanges may be formed with substantiallysemi-circular grooves 28 so that they are adapted to encircle the guyrod 11'.

The flanges 25 may be secured to the bottom plate by spot welding as at29 and the flanges 24 are adapted to secure the nut against rotation sothat the guy rod may be removed even -after the anchor is embedded inthe earth. The subject matter of this releasing device is decribed andclaimed in a copending application and will not therefore be claimed inthe present application.

Slidably mounted within the housing, provided by the housing member 18and the bottom plate 14, are a pair of flukes 30 and 31, and the flukes30 and 31 may be formed of substantially rectangular sheets of metalhaving rounded ends as at 32` and 33. In order to maintain the lukes inaligned position and to provide their sliding movement transversely tothe guy rod 11, the flukes are preferably each provided with anelongated slot 34 extending' from one end to such a point past thecenter of the anchor, that both lukes mav embrace the guy rod211.

The ends of the slots 24 may be rounded a-s'at 35 so that when theflukes are in the position shown in Fig. 4, a substantially circularaperture is providedwhich is aligned with the apertures 15 and22 in thebottom plate and housing member. The slots 34 may be slightly widened asat 36 to provide more room for the toggle links 37 and 38, and the clips39 and 40. I

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the bottom plate 14 isprovided with a pair of transversely extending corrugations 41 and 42which are adapted to greatly reinforce this member .and to increase thestrength ofthe anchor as a Whole. The flukes 30 and 31 are likewiseformed with corrugations 43, 44, 45 and 46 of a size adapted to nestwith each other, and within the corrugations 41 provided by the bottomplate. The housing member 18 is likewise provided with corrugations 47and 48 of smaller size adapted to be complementary to the innerv part ofthe corrugation 44 and 46 of the tlukes 30 and 31.

In order that the linkes may be guided by each other as well as by thehousing, the lukes are provided with offset portions 49 and 50 in suchmanner that they may be crossed at their center portions, each having ale extending below a leg on the other fluke. Thus it will be observedthat theleg 51 of the fluke 30 extends above the bod o the fluke 31,while the leg 52ron the flu e 30 extends below the body of the iuke 31.In a similar manner the leg 53 on the fluke 31 extends above the body ofthe fluke 30, while the leg 54 upon the uke 31 extends below the body ofthe fluke 30.

It should also be noted that this'c'rossing of the lukes renders itnecessary that corrugations on opposite sidesof the fluke be ofdifferent size 1n order that the corrugations may nest with each otherand with the corrugations in the bottom plate 14. Thus, in Fig. 2, thefluke 30 is provided with a corrugation at the left side wh ich isadapted to nest within the corrugation 43 of the other fluke, and thecorrugation 44 is therefore third in size.

The corrugation 45 of the fluke 3,0 is second in size, being adapted tonest with the corrugation 42 of the bottom plate and the corrugation 46of the fluke 31. The corrugation 46 of the fluke 31 is third in size,and the corrugation 43 of the v same 'uke is second in size.

It will thusbe observed that both the housing and the lukes are providedwith comple-l mentary corrugations which are adapted to permit slidingmovement between the flukes and the housing and to retain these membersin their proper position, although the iukes be extended to a maximumvamount, and furthermore, the corrugations greatl increase the strengthof the anchor as a Wli'ole.

The lukes 30 and 31 are each provided at their ends with a pair ofelongated slots 55 which are adapted to` receive the legs of the vclips39 and 40, which pivotally secure the flukes to the toggle links 3 7 and38. The clips 39 and 40 comprise strips-'of sheet metal bent tosubstantially U-shape 'and passing through elongated apertures 56 "inthe links 37 and 38. Y

The legs 57 of the clips 39 and 40 may be provided with narrowerportions 58 adapted to be received in the slots 55, and when the legs ofthe clips are inserted inthe slots 55 and bent over as at A59, the clipsare substantially riveted to the iukesv between the ends 59 and theshoulders 60 upon the clips.

The links 37 and 38 comprise substantially flat strips of metal such assteel, having formed therein a longitudinally extending rib 61, the ribterminating short of the elonlgatlipsd apertures 56 and 62 at Aeach endof the The links 37 and 38 are also -pivotal1y con- -ber64to ing Y liein the slots 70 with the portions 74 of the* 66 which pass'throughA t eapertures 62 of Y the links. The crosshead 63 comprises a cast metalmember having a central bore 67 of sufficient size to slidabl receivethe guy rod 11, the bore 67 being s ightly enlarged at the top 68toermit the arm 65 of the metal membent down into thebore as at 69. Thecrosshead 63 is preferablyV formed with slots 70 at opposite sides andthe slots 70 communicate with grooves 71 extending across `the top ofthe crosshead to the bore 67. The crosshead is also rovided withdependlugs 72 spaced su ciently from the base 73 of the. slot 70 topermit the arm s,65 to arms behind the lugs 72.

The metallic member64 is also rovided with an a erture 75 in substantiala ignment with the re 67 and this member is also reduced in width as at76 to` fit the width of the slot 70 and groove 71. i v

It will thus be observed that the links may be secured to the crossheadby passing the metallic member 64 through each link and bending the arms65v and 66 of this metallic member upward into the slots 70 of thecrosshead and into the grooves 71 terminating with a downwardly turnedfla-nge 69 in the bore 67. When the spider 64 is secured in this mannerwith portions 74 behind the lugs 72 on the crosshead, a very firm andpermanent' mode of attachment is provided thereby.

The operation of my expanding anchor is substantially the same as thatof those disclosed in the prior patent above mentioned, the anchor beingattached to a guy rod by passing the guy rod through the portion of theanchor and securing the nut below the anchor. The anchor may then beinserted in the hole, while the parts are in the position of Fig.' 3 andby tamping upon the crosshead, the force will be transmitted through thelinks tothe linkes which will be forced outwardly, cutting into thewalls of-the hole in the earth. The toggle links not only enable theprojection of the dukes, but they reinforce the dukes after they havebeen projected into engagement` with the sur. rounding earth.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an' improved commercialconstructionof expansion anchor of the class described, in which theanchor is provided with a bottom plate so that the lukes themselves areadapted to slide more readily andthe toggle links are secured to thecrosshead without the use of rivets.

By means of the housing provided4 for the the earthbelow 'them atthebeginning of their expansion. v

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without .departing from the spirit of theinvention, and to be limited vto the precise details of condo noty wishstruction set forth, but desireto avail myself of all changes within thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire tosecure by Letters A- Patent of the United States, is:

1. In an expanding anchor the combination of a bottom plate with means-carriedby said.platniorfguiding"an anchor uke, a lukeslidably mountedupon said plate, a crosshead, and a link connecting said crosshead andfluke, said means comprising ay housing extending over said fluke.

2. In an expanding anchor the combination of a bottom plate with meanscarried by said plate for guiding an` anchor fluke, a fluke slidablymounted upon said late, a crosshead, and a link connecting saidcrosshead and fluke, said means comprising'a housing extending over saidfluke, and' said bottom plate being provided with comple# mentarycorrugations.

3. In an expanding anchor the combination of a bottom plate with meanscarried by said plate for guiding an anchor fluke, a flukeslidablymounted upon said plate, a crosshead, a link connecting saidcrosshead and fluke, said crosshead comprising a metal member having anotched edge and a sheet metal member passing through said link andhaving a part receivable in said notch.

4. In an earth anchor, the combination of a bottom plate with a housingmember comprising a plate of metal having downwardly extending side flanes, said flanges havin portions extending t rough saidbottom p ate forretaining said plate and member in assembled relation, lukes slidablymounted in said housing and means for projecting said flukes.

5.' In an earth anchor, the combination of a bottom plate with a housingmember comprising a piece of metal having downwardly extending flanges,said flanges having portions extending through sald bottom plate forretaining said plate and member in assembled relation, lukes slidablymounted in said housing, said fiukes and bottom plate beingprovidedwith. complementary transverse corrugations.

prising a piece of metal having downwardly extendinganges, said dan eshaving portions extending through said bottom plate for retaining saidplate and member in assembled relation, ilukes slidably mounted in saidhousing, said tlukes and bottom plate ics being provided. withcomplementary transverse corrugations, a crosshead and links connectingsaid crosshead and sa1d ilukes.

7. In an earth anchor, the combination of a bottom plate with a housingmember comprising a piece vof metal having downwardly extending flanges,said flanges having portions extending thi'ough said bottom plate forretaining'said plate and member in assembled relation, flukes slidablymounted in said housing, said lukes and bottom plate being provided withcomplementary transverse corrugations, a crosshead, and links connectingsaid crosshead and said llukes, said links being provided withlongitudinally extending ressed ribs.

8. In an earth anc or, the combination of a bottom plate with a housingmember comprisin a piece of metal having downwardly exten ing flanges,said flanges having portions extending through said bottom plate forretaining said late and member in assembled relation, ukesslidably'mounted in said housing, said lukes and bottom plate beingprovided with complementary transverse corrugations, a crosshead, linksconnecting said crosshead and said lukes, and a sheet metal memberhaving arms extendin through said links and clamped upon sai crosshead.

9. In an earth anchor, the combination of a bottom plate with a housingmember comprising a piece of metal having downwardly extending flanges,said flanges having p0rtions extending through said bottom plate 'forretaining said plate and member in assembled relation, lukes slidablymounted in said housing, said iukes and bottom plate being provided withcomplementary transverse corrugations, a crosshead, links connectingsaid crosshead and said ilukes, and a sheet metal member having armsextending through said links and-clamped upon said crosshead, saidcrosshead being provided with a plurality of openings for receiving saidarms.

10. In an earth anchor, the combination of a bottom plate with a housingmember comprisin a piece of metal having downwardly exten ing flanges,said flanges having portions extending through said bottom plate forretaining said plate and member in assembled relation, lukes slidablymounted in said housing, said linkes and bottom plate being providedwith complementary transverse corrugations, a crosshead, linksconnecting said crosshead and said flukes, and a sheet metal memberhaving arms extending through said links and clamped upon .saidcrosshead, said crosshead being provided with a plurality of openingsfor receiving said arms, and having shoulders for engagement outsidesaid arms.

11. In an earth anchor, the combination of a crosshead having slots inits sides and downwardly extending lugs at the sides of said slots, witha Ametal strip for pivotally securing to gle links to said crosshead,said stri being ent about said crosshead within sai slots and havinlaterally projecting portions engaging be ind said lugs.

l12. In an earth anchor, the combination of a crosshead having slots inits sides, with a metal strip for pivotally securing to gle links tosaid crosshead, said strip bemg gent about said crosshead within saidslots.

13. In an expanding anchor the combination of a bottom plate with anupper plate fixedly secured to said bottom plate and adapted to guide ananchor fluke, a crosshead adapted to be slidably mounted on a guide rod,a pair of anchor fluk'es slidably mounted with respect to each otherbetween said plates and. a pair of links, each link being pivotallyconnnected to said crosshead and pivotally connected to one of saidflukes, whereby said ilukes are adapted to be extended by movement ofsaid crosshead on said guide rod.

14. In an expanding anchor the combination of a bottom plate'with an*upper plate fixedly secured to saidv bottom plate and adapted to guidean anchor fluke, acrosshead adapted to be slidably mounted on a guide roa pair of anchor flukes slidably mounted with respect to each otherbetweenl said plates and a pair of links, each link being pivotallyconnected to said crosshead and pivotally connected to one of saidlukes, whereby said lukes are adapted to be extended by movement of saidcrosshead on said guide rod, one of said plates being provided withslots andthe other of said plates being formed with a transverse flangehaving ashoulder for engaging the other plate and with an integraltongue adapted to be secured in said slot.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 19 da of May,1928.

AL ERT B. CHANCE.

